Dusting off the iconic RS moniker which had last been seen on a production Porsche in 1973, the 964 very much deserves the designation. Standing for Rennsport, the letters RS have always guaranteed a very exciting Porsche driving experience, and in the case of the Rest of the World 964 RS, Porsche engineers put in plenty of work to justify the use of the evocative nomenclature.
They used the classic hot-rodding formula: significant weight reduction, an upgraded driveline, and upgraded suspension and brakes, and the changes were impressively comprehensive. It started with the bodyshell, which used seam welding and a strut tower bar to markedly improve the rigidity of the chassis. To reduce weight, many features were removed, including power steering, electric windows and seats, back seats, central locking, air conditioning, radio, and even interior lights. One-piece Recaro bucket seats replaced the standard seats, plainer door trims without storage pockets and armrests appeared, and an aluminum front deck lid, aluminum hubs, magnesium wheels, thinner glass, simplified wiring harness, and reduced sound insulation and undercoating further reduced weight. The result was a curb weight reduction by a remarkable 10%, to a total of 2700 pounds. A lighter flywheel and heavy duty clutch, together with revised engine management and stiffer engine mounts changed the character of the powertrain noticeably, while the transaxle itself benefitted from closer gear ratios, stronger synchromesh, and standard limited slip differential. The suspension was lowered and fitted with stiffer springs and dampers as well as revised roll bars, and the brakes were uprated with a front arrangement from the 911 Turbo and the rear setup from a 911 Cup Car racer.
The result of these changes is a dramatically transformed driving experience. The 911 is rightly revered as one of the best driver’s cars of all time, and the 964 RS, with its combination of old-school character and modern level of braking and grip sits at the perfect intersection of vintage aesthetic and genuine face melting performance on a twisty road. It is, simply put, one of the best driving Porsches ever made.
This particular RS is finished in the iconic color of Maritime Blue and was sold new in Switzerland. Beautifully presented and extremely original, this example is complete with books, tools, and an extensive file of invoices.
